Former Dorr resident and Wayland High School graduate Lucille Marie (Harnish) Arndt died Thursday, Aug. 4, at Heron Manor, Grand Rapids
Lucille was born on April 11, 1924, to Joseph and Adeline Harnish in Byron Center and was raised in Dorr. She graduated from Wayland High School and married Otis Arndt, also of Dorr, in 1941. Lucille and Otis were married nearly 67 years, raising seven daughters and one son in Three Oaks.
While raising her family, Lucille was a homemaker involved in her children’s activities, school and her church as an Altar Society member. Her famous homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies delighted family, neighborhood children and friends.
Lucille later worked for Lee Electronics in Three Oaks and LECO Electronics in St. Joseph.
In their retirement, Otis and Lucille traveled extensively sightseeing in their RV, eventually settling in Sebring, Fla. Living in Leisure Acres, they made friends from across the country and Canada and enjoyed playing cards, dancing and biking.
Lucille’s creativity was evident in her crafting, sewing, crocheting and (her favorite) painting, which she generously shared with friends and family. After the death of her husband, Lucille spent ten years at Heron Manor Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, where she served her fellow residents by teaching them to create greeting cards, working on service projects, and making holiday gifts for each resident veteran. Lucille sewed more than 150 dresses for girls in Africa through a charitable foundation. In 2020 in recognition of her community service, Lucille was honored as a finalist in the 16 over 60 Seniors of Greater Grand Rapids.
She is survived by her children; Linda Arndt, Hazel (Roy) Bolin, Marilyn (Tim) McIntyre, Gayle Davis, Bethaline Arndt, Elaine (William) Stephens, and Doreen (Mark) Foreman. She also leaves her sister, Norene Miklusicak, nine grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and her special friend, Kim Murphy.
Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, Otis; son, Daniel Arndt; grandson, Brian Davis; two brothers, Arthur and Louis; and sister, Marian.
A Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, 4865 11 Mile Rd. NE, Rockford. Lucille’s family will greet relatives and friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at the Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe St., Rockford with the prayers of the Holy Rosary recited at 5 p.m. and a time of visiting one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.
A private family interment will be held at the Jones Cemetery, Dorr, MI. Her family asks in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to American Diabetes Association, 648 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 004, Grand Rapids 49503. or American Heart Association, 26555 Evergreen Rd # 570, Southfield, MI 48076.
